Studio
Paper & Layer is a founder-led branding studio in Abuja, Nigeria. We develop brand strategies and identities, and help businesses put them to use.
A logo, a website and a brochure can each look good and still tell different stories. The studio exists to connect those decisions, so the thinking behind a brand stays visible in its design and the design stays useful in everyday business.
Based
Abuja, Nigeria
Working remotely, with clients in Abuja and beyond
Founded
2026
Founder-led, with specialists for defined work
Who we work with
Founders, business owners and business leads who need to establish a brand, make an existing brand more coherent, or support an important period of change.
You don’t need to arrive knowing every deliverable you need, or the language of branding. You bring knowledge of your business; we bring strategy and design, and explain our recommendations as we go.
Sectors
Open to any industry
With a particular interest in real estate, property, architecture, hospitality and place
Capabilities
A good fit
The best work happens in partnership. We work well with clients who are curious and open to ideas, who share what they know about their business, and who give honest feedback along the way. Clear communication and trust in the creative process let us do our best thinking for you.
Not the right fit
Good branding takes time, a steady conversation and room for the studio to apply its judgement. If a project needs very tight timelines, prescribed designs, or limited availability to give feedback, we may not be the right studio for it, and we are glad to say so early.
Founder
Abdulsamad Umar
Founder & Creative Director
His design journey began in 2017, bringing together a longstanding interest in art and creativity with a practical desire to work and become independent.
After years in design, he founded Paper & Layer to build a practice of his own. He sees room for a stronger design-studio culture in Abuja and wants to contribute to it.
He leads strategy, identity design and creative direction, and works directly with every client.
The name
Paper is the starting point: a place to bring questions, ideas and possibilities into view.
Layer is the development and refinement that turn those beginnings into an identity and the things people see and use.
The name reflects our interest in the whole process, from the first idea to how it works in practice.
What we’re building
A respected Nigerian studio known for thoughtful work, strong relationships and a healthy creative environment.
The studio is founder-led and remote today. A permanent team and a studio space in Abuja are longer-term ambitions, for when the work can support them.